FLORIDA, USA — Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis resigned from his post Monday after President-elect Donald Trump endorsed him for former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz's empty seat in the state's 1st Congressional District.
Monday is the deadline for elected officials to resign from their positions if they plan on running in the special election to fill Gaetz's empty seat in Congress.
Patronis sent his letter of resignation to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Florida's CFO for nearly eight years," Patronis wrote in the letter obtained by First Coast News.
Patronis' resignation will be effective March 31, 2025, the letter states.
Trump endorsed Patronis on his social media website Truth Social Monday, saying "Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement."
Last week, Patronis said on social media he was "strongly considering" running for the empty seat.
Patronis responded to Trump via X Monday afternoon, saying: "Put me to work, Mr. President. I am here to serve."
Trump's endorsement comes after several Republicans said they would join the race to replace Gaetz, who resigned from his post after he was tapped for U.S. attorney general earlier this month.
Other Florida politicians had also expressed interest in replacing Gaetz, including Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman, Former U.S. Army Captain and Green Beret John Frankman, former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino, Former U.S. Senate candidate Keith Gross and Democrat Gay Valimont, who lost to Gaetz during the 2024 Election.
Salzman, who represents Pensacola, had previously said she would make a possible run for the congressional seat, but said Monday she would back Patronis in the race after he received support from the president-elect.
She congratulated Patronis on the endorsement via social media, saying: "Jimmy has been endorsed by the leader of our party and that should be enough for us to get behind him."
With Trump's endorsement of Patronis, it's likely the pool of candidates will also follow suit.
Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general last Thursday, saying his nomination was "unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of Trump/Vance Transition."
Gaetz has been at the center of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. However, pressure mounted for the committee to replace its findings after Gaetz was nominated to lead the Department of Justice.
The special primary election will be held to determine who will replace Gaetz. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the primary election will take place Jan. 28, followed by the special general election which will happen April 1.